Latest News Articles by Roland Arkell
Birmingham silver ‘toys’ played with practical objects
09 June 2025From the late 18th century, Birmingham was the centre for the making of ‘toys’ – small decorative objects including boxes, nutmeg graters, buckles, caddy spoons, vinaigrettes and rattles, fashioned from silver.
Silver gorilla evolves to double estimate sum
09 June 2025The many models of anthropomorphic primates that proliferated British decorative arts in the 1860s typically reference Charles Darwin’s provocative and often lampooned 'On the Origin of Species by Means of Natural Selection', first published in 1859.
Light shed on the Arctic
09 June 2025This 2ft 6in (75cm) high five-light candelabrum hallmarked for Sheffield 1844 and the firm Creswick & Co (Thomas, James and Nathaniel Creswick) is both an impressive example of early Victorian table silver and a memento of the heroic era of polar exploration.
Spoon that survived War of the Roses bid over three times estimate
09 June 2025Spoons are among the very few pieces of English silver surviving from the period of Wars of the Roses.
Prof Zacron/Robert Drew was drawn in by British art exhibition posters
09 June 2025As part of a Fine Art auction in Surrey on June 25, Catherine Southon is selling a collection of British art exhibition posters from the estate of Professor Zacron (Robert Drew), the maverick artist best known for the album cover of Led Zeppelin III.
Michael Baggott’s collection comes to Salisbury auction
04 June 2025Woolley & Wallis is selling the private collection of silver specialist Michael Baggott (1973-2025) who died unexpectedly in January of this year.
Rediscovered tea caddy in form of a Georgian house sells at Sheffield auction
04 June 2025The fashion for tea caddies and other boxes in the form of houses or other decorative buildings emerged in the last quarter of the 18th century and continued into the 19th century.
Rimbault clock bid to five times estimate at Dutch sale
02 June 2025A fine English table clock by Huguenot maker Stephen Rimbault (1711-86) generated plenty of competition at auction in the Netherlands.
Pick of the week: Call in the cavalry for an Indian toy soldier at auction
02 June 2025The sale of a private collection of arms and armour at C&T Auctions in Kent, on May 13 included a brass figure of a cavalryman from a small but well-known group of Indian toy soldiers.
Jewellery: The Jean-Pierre Cornille collection of Christian Dior creates a costume drama
02 June 2025This impressive array of costume jewellery sold in Paris showcased the work of half a century and seven creative directors of the Dior brand.
Feel blue but buoyant thanks to Cartier design
02 June 2025Cartier’s aquamarine jewellery appears to have been predominantly produced from the London workshop starting in 1932.
Rings that come with emotional messages
02 June 2025While Whitby jet was particularly fashionable during the reign of Victoria, it had been a popular material for jewellery from the Romano British period onwards.
‘Deeply moving’ Ribera work went from shed to saleroom
02 June 2025A painting by Spanish artist Jusepe de Ribera (1591- 1652) which emerged from a shed in rural Sweden drew competition at an auction in Stockholm.
Sapphire ring soars to Irish highest price for jewellery at auction
02 June 2025The sale of Fine Jewellery & Ladies Watches at Adam’s (25% buyer’s premium) in Dublin on May 13 included an impressive retro sapphire and diamond ‘tank’ ring, c.1940, that came for sale from the ‘private collection of a Continental lady’.
Bountiful selection to explore in Chicago saleroom includes accounts of famous mutiny
02 June 2025US auction offers lots ranging from mutiny on the Bounty to polar tales and a starry menu
Story of the formidable goldsmith Sybil Dunlop
02 June 2025In the 1920s-30s, the Scottish-born goldsmith Sybil Dunlop (1889- 1968) presided over a workshop in London’s Kensington Church Street dressed in a kaftan and Russian fur boots.
Spectacular Cartier on offer includes tiara with Astor provenance
02 June 2025Bonhams’ London Jewels sale on June 5 features a spectacular Cartier turquoise and diamond tiara that comes by descent from Nancy, Viscountess Astor (1879-1964).
Feather brooch finds new owner after five-minute bidding battle
02 June 2025This large diamond, sapphire and emerald peacock feather brooch was the highlight of a recent Fine Jewellery sale held at Fellows (25% buyer’s premium) in Birmingham.
Parure produced in Princes Street Edinburgh sells well south of the border
02 June 2025Among the highlights of a recent jewellery sale held by Mallams (25% buyer’s premium) in Oxford was this mid-to late-19th century amethyst parure.
